Means for identifying bullets



Nov. 8, 1932. G. POCOROBA I MEANS FOR IDENTIFYING BULLETS Filed Jan. 24, 1930 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 STATES GIUSEPPE POCOROBA, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MEANS FOR IDENTIFYING BULLETS Application filed January 24, 1930. Serial No. 422,974.

My present invention relates generally to bullets, and has particular reference to a method and means for making bullets identiv fiable. p

It is a general object of my invention to. provide a bullet of the character used in rifles, revolvers, and the like, which is so constructed that the slug thereof may be positively identified at all times, even after it has been fired from the bullet. The identification which I seek to accomplish is with respect to the origin of the bullet, and by my invention it is possible to trace the source of a bullet not only to a particular manufacturer or dealer, but also to identify the same as having been manufactured or sold at a particular time. The identification means which I provide serves to render every individual bullet distinctive and distinguishable from any other individual bullet.

Briefly, my invention resides in associating with the slug of the bullet an identification element which is of such a character as to travel with the slug even when the same is fired from a gun, and to remain with the slug even after it has been lodged in the object shot at. The identification element which I'employ may broadly be said to be embedded in the slug. In one form of my invention, for example, the element is a strip of metal or the like which is completely invisible from the outside of the bulletand which is embedded in its entirety within the slug, as by associating it in a suitable manner with the mold in which the slug is cast.

In modified forms of my invention, the identification element which is embedded in the slug is so constructed and of such a nature as to have a portion thereof exposed on the i3 exterior of the slug.

Regardless of the particular shape of the identification element or of the particular manner in which the same is embedded in the slug, it is a feature of my invention always to provide the element of a material which is of higher melting point than that of the slug itself, which is capable of receiving and retaining identification indicia, and which is preferably in the form of a metallic strip or the like.

,consists of an elongated strip of material,

Whether the element is embedded in its ontirety or with a part exposed, its configuration and its method of association with the slug are such that removalthereof is totally impossible without mutilating the'entire slug and rendering it useless thereafter. Accordingly, any bullet constructed in accordance with my present invention and which is actually fired from a gun may at any time thereafter be traced to a particular time and source of origin by an examination of the slug itself.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, Ihave constructed a device embodying thefeatures of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a sile view of atypical bullet constructed in accordance with my present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan View identification element;

Figure 3 is a planview of the element of Figure 2 shown in unrolled condition;

Figure 4 is a side view of a slug with cl-I portion broken away toillustrate a modified form of the invention; V V

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary. cross-section similar to the upper portion of Figure 4, showing a further modification;

. Figure 7 is a view similarto Figure 3, showing a different manner of providing identification indicia; i 85 Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing a further method of applying identification; a i c Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the rear end of a slug, showing a further modification; and

Figure 10'is a view of the slug of Figure 9, taken from the right; 7

In Figure 1, I have shown a typical bullet, which consists of the shell and the slug 16. In the form shown in this figure, an identification element 17 is completely embedded within the slug 16. This element is more fully illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and 1 v 7 7,0 of ,one form of preferably metal, upon which, or into which, identification indicia have been inscribed.

In Figure 3, for example, I have shown one method of identifying the strip 17. I have shown three letters 18 which may, for example, represent respectively a particular manufacturer and a-serial number. In other words, the letter A may represent a parli cular manufacturer of the bullet. The combination of letters (1R. may represent a serial number (of which 676 variations are possible by this particular method), and the numerals 19 may represent a particular bullet of that particular serial number. fer to construct the strip 17 of a colored material, the color 'variationsenabling me still further to "broaden the number of possible distinctions, and serving perhaps as-an indication ofthe year of manufacturea The strip of Figure 3 is comparatively small, and in the form illustrated, it is rolled up into a spiral, as shown in Figure 2,

and is then embedded in theslug 16 during the molding or casting of the latter. At any 'subsequent'time, whether the slug has-been fired or not, a removal of the strip 17 and an "examination of the markings thereon will serve to identify the particular bullet, and may in that way assist in the identification of'the user thereof.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated a modification wherein a strip 20 is made of elastic material, such as spring metal, whereby'the tendency of the stripto unroll during the molding or. casting of the slug 'will cause it to assume an embeddedpositionsomewhat like that illustrated in Figure '5. It is obvious that a portion'21 of theidentification strip will be exposed on the surface of'the slug 22. The exposed 'surfa'ceof'the strip 20 will lie flush with the exposed-surface of the slug 22; will not interfere with the contemplated use of the bullet ;"willindicate to the user o-f'the bullet thatit is identifiable and may, in thisway, deter the user from usingit for an illegitimate purpose.

In any event, it is to be notedthatthe strip 20is entirely irremovable from -the-slug 22 ewithout a mutilation of the latter suflicient to render it unusable.

In Figure 6, I have shown a slight modification wherein the crosssectional configuration of a similar strip 23 is trapezoidal,-the

out'er surface '24-being of less width than the 'innersurface 25, and thereby renderingitstill more difiicultto remove from the slug. The

construction of Figure 6 dovetails the strip 23 within the body of the slug 26. and thereby enhances the security with which the'strip is held in permanentassociation with the slug.

In Figures 9 and 10, I have illustrateda "still further modification wherein the i denti fication element is in the form of a countersunk disc having a central,- substantially circular portion 27 and a marginal portion 28.

I also prethis-simple method.

Connecting the portion 28 with the portion 27 is the conical portion 29 which is constructed to converge rearwardly. In this form of the invention, the element is embedded in the rear face of the slug 30, and it is obvious that 4 its removal, without mutilation of the slug, will be extremely difiicult, if at all possible. Furthermore, the construction of Figures 9 and 10 is such as to leave the markingson the element unaffected by a discharge of the slug from the bullet shell. 1

In the form shown in Figures 9. and 10,

the identificationindicia may be of a more tratively shown one convenient method of accomplishing this in Figure 3. ,In- Figures 7 and 8 I have shown a further method which may be desirable under certain circumstances.

In Figure 7, the strip 81 is provided with two punch marks 32 and;38. Theparticular 1 location of these punch marks with respect to one'ormore predetermined cross-sectional patterns will serve to identify the strip. The cross-sectional patterns are indicated in Figure 1 and show the possibility of providing identification marks oftremendous'variety by In Figure '8, I have shown a further. de-

velopment ofthe ideaofFigure 7, the strip 34 being provided not only with two-punch -marks-35 and 36,,but-s also with the two'notches 37 and 38. Here, too, the relative positions of i the notches and-of the punch markswith respect to a predetermined pattern (roughly indicated, in Figure 8) will serve to identify the'strip and distinguish it from thousands of others. 3 1 i 'It'wiil also be'understoodthat the .particular material of which the slug is made'l ias .no effect upon my invention, because the identification element will in'every event be made of a material having a higher melting point.

For example, if the slug-is, made of lead, as

is usually the case, the identificationelement may be of iron or'steel. Steel :is particularly desirable for the further reason that it is easily engraved or -marked and will retain such marks for indefinite periods of time. 7

Thehvarious modifications shown inthe drawing are merely illustrative of-the variai tlons possible bythose skilled in the art. 'Therefore, it will be understood that I do not intend to limit'myself-to any particular configuration of identification element nor any particular manner of associating the same with the slug. Furthermore, themethodsby which identification elements of this character-may be distinctively marked are numerous and-maybe varied tosuitdifi'en,

ing requirements.

It will thus be seen that my invention is extremely simple and of great value. Bullets are usually sold in packages of fifty. If every bullet ias its own identification mark, and if it is made compulsory that dealers keep records of the particular bullets sold to particular persons, any illegitimate use of a bullet can be traced with great facility to the original purchaser thereof.

In the drawings, I have illustrated my invention in an implement to which I have referred to as a bullet. It will be understood that my invention is applicable to any explosive inst-rumentality of this character in which an explosive charge is employed to throw a projectile such as a slug of a bullet or shot from a cannon or shot-gun.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a bullet, a slug having embedded therein an element bearing identification indicia; said element comprising an elongated metallic strip rolled into a spiral.

2. In a bullet, a slug having embedded therein an element bearing identification indicia; said elementcomprising an elongated metallic strip of spring metal having a portion exposed on the exterior surface of the slug.

3. In a bullet, a slug having embedded therein an element bearing identification indicia; said element comprising a substantially C-shaped strip of spring metal, the ends of the C extending in convergence toward the interior of the slug.

4. In a bullet, a slug having embedded therein an element bearing identification indicia; said element comprising a substantially C-shaped strip of spring metal, the ends of the C extending in convergence toward the interior of the slug; said strip having a trapezoidal cross-section.

5. In a bullet, a slug having embedded therein an element bearing identification indicia; said element comprising a rolled metallic strip of trapezoidal cross-sectlon, said strip being substantially concentric with the axis of the slug and having the surface of lesser width outward.

6. An identification element of the character described, comprising a strip of metal with notches in its edges, said notches bemg relatively positioned in accordance wlth a predetermined cross-sectional pattern, whereby said element may be identified by the number and relative arrangement of said notches.

T. The combination of a relatively soft slug of a bullet and a folded, relatively long and narrow strip therein, said strip having thereon means to identify the maker of the bullet and being made of material of such toughness as to permit the removal of the strip from the slug, after distortion of the latter by impact, without destruction of the idenifying means.

8.The combination of a relatively soft slug of a bullet and a strip therein, said strip having thereon means to identify the bullet and being made of material of such toughness as to permit the removal of the strip from the slug, after distortion ofthe same by impact, without destruction of the identifying means.

9. The combination of a relatively soft slug of a bullet and an insert therein, said insert having thereon means to identify the bullet and being made of material of such toughness as to permit the removal of the insert from the slug, after distortion of the same by impact, without destruction of the identifying means.

in witness whereof I have signed and sealed this specification this 22nd day of January, 1930.

GIUSEPPE POCOROBA. 

